Strategies for coping with the effects of agricultural land conflict among crop farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study examined strategies used by crop farmers in coping with the effects of agricultural land conflicts in Imo State, Nigeria. A sample of 288 crop farmers selected using the multistage sampling technique participated in the study. Data were collected from the farmers using a structured interview schedule and analyzed using percentages and mean. The result showed that maize (94.1%), leafy vegetables (86.8%), yam (77.0%), fruity vegetable (73.5%) and plantain (72.8%) were the major crops grown by the farmers. Perceived causes of land conflicts included undocumented agreement over land use between individuals (97.2%), lack of marked boundaries (89.5%), increasing the value of land (89.5%), new laws, policies or programmes (72.8%), migration (72.8%) and land grabbing (72.8%). Perceived effects of land conflict on crop production were a decline in income (X̅ = 3.8), lack of financial resources (X̅ = 3.8), shortage of inputs (X̅ = 3.8), increase in the cost of inputs (X̅ = 3.8), lack of market for produce (X̅ = 3.8), land redundancy (X̅ = 3.7), improperly timed farming activities (X̅= 3.7), loss lives (X̅ = 3.7) and reduction in plot size (X̅ = 3.5, S.D = 1.0). Coping strategies used were divesting from crop production (X̅ = 4.0), diversification of farm enterprises (X̅ = 3.9), appeasing other parties (X̅=3.9), praying for peace (X̅ = 3.9) and adopting less risky income-generating activities (X̅ = 3.8). It was recommended that existing land governance systems be reviewed in order to accommodate recent changes.

Keywords: Conflict resolution, coping strategies, agricultural land, crop farmers, effects, rural areas.